Igwe Chinyelu Nnaemeke Nworah-Molokwu (Okpaligwe Amawbia) was born on September 26, 1946 to Augustine Nweke Nworah-Molokwu (‘Onye-Nkuzi’) of Umueze Village, and Onyeakaghana Nworah-Molokwu (Nee Dijeh) of Adabebe Village, both of Amawbia, Anambra State. Following the death of his mother two years after his birth, their father’s immediate younger sister, Auntie Jessie Nwagoh Nworah-Molokwu, a primary school teacher with the Church Missionary Society at the time, took over the responsibility of nurturing Chinyelu and his elder sister.
Igwe Chinyelu started primary school at Aguogba (now Central School), Amawbia but because his guardian, Auntie Jessie, was a school teacher who taught in different communities, Igwe Chinyelu had to attend primary school in different communities as well including in Achalla, Urum, Ebenebe, Nawfia, Owerri and Port Harcourt.
On completing primary school, Igwe Chinyelu got admitted into Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori-Ogoni, Rivers State. While in the school, he joined the football team that went on to win a couple of trophies in Port-Harcourt area of the Eastern Region at the time.
At the cessation of hostilities in 1970, he enrolled for a correspondence Diploma Certificate Course in Salesmanship with the British Institute of Salesmanship, London. He, then, ventured into timber business but logistics bottlenecks made him to exit the business and moved into salaried employment. He worked for Emordi Brothers, a building materials and hardware merchandising consortium, as the Manager, running the Midwestern and Eastern Regional Operations. This company was owned by Professor Isaac Okonjo, uncle to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
He later started his own building materials business in Onitsha branching off into importation of fabrics, wine, brandy and assorted drinks. When alul hit his importation business, he relocated to Port-Harcourt, where his company was registered as contractor to notable International Oil Companies and Oil Industry Services Companies like Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria, Schlumberger Nigeria, Environ Waste Nigeria Limited among others.
He got married to Princess Justina Nworah-Molokwu (Nee Ezenekwe of Agbiligba, Nanka) and the marriage is blessed with three surviving children; two daughters and a son. An amazing personality, disciplinarian and a teacher to the family. A jolly good fellow, he belonged to two social clubs, The Parliament and The Oracle both in Amawbia.
Okpaligwe Amawbia was born into an Anglican family. He served in the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Saint Matthew’s Anglican Church, Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt, serving as Peoples Warden and bringing extraordinary value to the position, which though challenging, he relished while it lasted.
Igwe Chinyelu was the Secretary of Amawbia Town Union (ATU), Port Harcourt Branch for many years and was later elevated to patron where his major role included monitoring and reaching out to ensure that any townsfolk arriving newly in the city got registered with the branch. Anything that concerned any Amawbia person was his burden and he followed such to logical conclusion.
Igwe Chinyelu was a committed member of Udoka Age Grade, Amawbia, in which he served as secretary before embarking on the journey to the great beyond. He mentored and assisted a couple of his people to set-up small businesses. He offered educational assistance to some indigent students and endowed a family scholarship scheme which is still running at Community Secondary School, Amawbia.
He reticulated potable water from the borehole in his premises, to adjoining compounds in his neighbourhood, for about five years running now. That’s in addition to the free medicare he offered for the needy from time to time.
He was elected the traditional ruler of Amawbia Okpaligwe on December 30th, 2019 and was officially crowned on the 29th December, 2020. He was issued certificate of recognition by former Governor Willie Obiano, Akpokuodike, on the 27th of May, 2020. He embarked on the journey to great beyond on the 29th of August, 2021.
Now that it has pleased our heavenly father to welcome him to eternal Life, it is our fervent prayer and belief that his soul shall find eternal repose in the bosom of our Heavenly Father, through Christ Our Lord. Amen
His last ofvala shall hold from today Wednesday, August 24, 2022 through Saturday August 27, 2022 and on Sunday, the 28th August, 2022, thanksgiving service shall take place at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Amawbia.
Jee nke oma, Okpaligwe Amawbia.
Written by SIR NCHE NWORAH-MOLOKWU
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